The Dangote Petroleum Refinery has received high praise from the Global Board of the Project Management Institute (PMI), which lauded the facility as a world-class example of excellence in project execution and a benchmark for global project management standards.
Thank you for visiting The Vestigator, don't forget to share!
Led by Lenka Pincot, Chief of Staff to the PMI Global CEO, the delegation visited Nigeria and toured the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Dangote Fertiliser Plant in Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos. The visit was hosted by the Dangote Group’s Community of Practice for Project Management.
The international team, visibly impressed by the refinery’s scale, design, and precision, commended the Dangote management for delivering a project that aligns with top global standards in planning, execution, and delivery.
Speaking after the tour, Pincot described the refinery as a living embodiment of PMI’s mission to elevate the world through successful project delivery.
“At PMI, our purpose is to maximise project success to elevate our world. This Guinness World Record-scale project beautifully reflects that purpose in action,” she said. “Beyond the impressive structures, we see the far-reaching impact this project is creating for Nigeria, its people, and its economy. You’ve built an entire ecosystem.”
She expressed PMI’s interest in strengthening collaboration with Dangote Industries Limited (DIL) to share insights and lessons from the refinery with PMI’s global community, adding that the world has much to learn from the refinery’s scale, discipline, and ambition.
Welcoming the team, Devakumar Edwin, Vice President, Oil and Gas, DIL, attributed the success of the refinery and other Dangote projects to the group’s strong foundation in structured project management and meticulous execution.
“At Dangote, we prioritise disciplined planning, risk management, and execution that align with global standards,” Edwin said. “This consistency across our operations — from cement to sugar and fertiliser — has allowed us to deliver impactful, world-class projects that drive Africa’s industrial growth.”
Nglan Niat, Group Chief Human Resource Officer, highlighted Dangote Industries’ ongoing investments in developing internal project management talent and fostering a culture of excellence. She explained that the company partnered with PMI and acquired 300 PMI professional licenses to strengthen its internal capacity.
“We launched the Project Management Development Programme in 2024 to build internal capacity and promote efficiency across our businesses. Many participants are now PMI-certified, with more joining in our second cohort that began in July 2025,” she noted.
Through its Project Management Community of Practice (CoP), Dangote Industries has created a platform for collaboration, monthly learning sessions, and knowledge sharing. The goal, she said, is to embed project management excellence as a core organisational strength driving innovation and value creation.
George Asamani, PMI’s Managing Director for Sub-Saharan Africa, described the Dangote Refinery as a monumental achievement and a landmark for Africa’s industrial and project management capability.
“Being here today is phenomenal. This project represents visionary leadership and the power of structured execution,” he said. “Beyond this success, we’re excited to explore future collaboration in areas like Artificial Intelligence, sustainability, and construction management.”
He added that PMI’s new digital tools — such as the PMI Infinity platform and PMI-CP (Construction Professional) certification — could enhance future partnerships with Dangote’s project management community.
Adeola Akande, PMI’s Head of Community for Sub-Saharan Africa, also commended the refinery as a symbol of Nigeria’s capacity to deliver world-class infrastructure through effective project management.
“The Dangote Refinery proves that disciplined project execution can transform not just organisations, but entire economies,” she said.
Presenting on the evolution of Dangote’s Community of Practice, Shehu Adekanye, Group Head of Procurement, explained that the CoP was launched in June 2025 to transform project management from an individual skill into a strategic organisational capability.
He noted that membership has grown rapidly — from 7 members in March to 32 by September 2025 — with 67 staff enrolled in PMI training.
“We’ve created a platform for continuous learning and innovation,” Adekanye said. “Our work is already shaping how projects are planned and executed across Dangote Industries.”
Adekanye also appealed to PMI for formal accreditation to allow the Dangote CoP award Professional Development Units (PDUs) for its programmes, greater inclusion in PMI events, and access to advanced global training opportunities.
The PMI delegation’s visit underscores the Dangote Refinery’s global significance — not only as an industrial milestone but as a powerful example of visionary leadership, innovation, and excellence in project management.
